Four Things I Love About David Pepper’s New Book, Saving Democracy (And One I’d Add)
Recently, a friend gave me a copy of David Pepper’s new book, Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American, and it’s one I hope all teens, parents and educators will embrace as a mantra for daily living.
Hey Moms & Dads: Democracy Needs You
I don’t have a megaphone, but if I did, I’d use it to send a special message to Moms, Dads, and teens: It’s a top priority for young people to have an equal voice in our democracy so they can shape the solutions for the challenges they face.
Welcome, Minnesota!
Minnesota is the latest state to allow young people to preregister to vote beginning at age 16. The new law will go into effect on June 1, and it brings to 17 the number of states that allow preregistration at age 16.
Reflections on 2024 for the 8 million US high school students who will turn 18 by the next Presidential election.
Top 5 election take-aways for high school students who care about strengthening democracy.
With Midterms Just Weeks Away, New Hampshire Lags in Registering 18-year-olds to Vote
Just weeks before the midterms, only 13% of New Hampshire’s 18-year-olds are registered to vote. With same-day registration and strong local organizing, communities can still make a big impact.
Registration rates for 18-year-olds in greater Philadelphia are rising quickly
In the lead-up to the midterms, voter registration for 18-year-olds in greater Philadelphia is climbing — but still under 30%. With one week left, Montgomery leads, and all counties have room to grow.
30+% Increase in Voter Registration for 18-Year-Olds in Greater Philadelphia Area in Just One Month
Voter registration among 18-year-olds in greater Philadelphia surged over 30% in one month, thanks to High School Voter Registration Week and community efforts — yet rates still fall short of 35%.
Statement To High School Students In Virginia: Use Your Voice, And Use Your Vote
Virginia students are speaking out and standing up for one another — and now they can preregister to vote starting at 16. Your voice and your vote matter. Register, organize, and make a difference.
Hey Pennsylvania: Register to Vote.
In Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, fewer than 20% of youth who will be 18-years-old on Election Day are registered to vote.
Uniting for youth and democracy, The Civics Center convenes more than 70 nonprofits to promote High School Voter Registration Week.
Approximately one million high school students will be old enough to vote in November if they are registered. Millions more live in states where they can preregister to vote as soon as they turn 16 or 17, providing additional opportunities for youth engagement. Virtually all Americans become eligible to register or preregister while they are still in high school. Yet most schools have no programs, curriculum, training, or events to actually help their students take this important step.
Guest Blog: The Federal Civics Secures Democracy Act Represents a Generational Investment in K-12 Civic Education and the Future of Our Constitutional Democracy
CSD is the first bipartisan initiative to support states and local school districts in offering the civic education needed to equip youth in the United States with the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become informed and engaged members of society. This comprehensive piece of legislation responds to a crisis in civic education that has seen the subject neglected over the past 50 years.
Our bodies. Our votes.
When we read the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, taking away federal constitutional protection for abortion rights and signaling that further erosion of fundamental rights may be on the horizon, we thought about the 1.5 million Americans who are turning 18 between now and Election Day in November.
In Florida, with Midterms just five months away, the biggest obstacle to youth voter turnout is low levels of voter registration among youngest eligible voters.
As of May 16, 2022, in Miami-Dade County, approximately 25% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote. In Broward County, roughly 30% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote. Miami-Dade and Broward Counties are the most populous counties in Florida, and immediate action is required to make sure young people are registered to vote ahead of the Midterms.
With five months before Election Day, more than 1.5 million Americans will be turning 18 before Election Day.
Election Day is only five months away, and 1.5 million youth across the country are turning 18 before November 8, 2022. Virtually all of these young people are eligible to register to vote today, and then they can vote in the midterms in November.
Graduation Season Calendar: Where and When to Get the Class of 2022 Ready to Vote.
We created a resource to help community groups, parents, and volunteers focus their efforts on specific school districts. Our School District Graduation Calendar lists the graduation season dates for the most populous districts in each state. This is a great starting point for encouraging students and educators to plan registration drives at their schools in connection with graduation.
Statement to high school and college students on the Supreme Court’s draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade
Congress and state legislatures can protect abortion rights and encourage health care institutions to provide it. Every member of the House of Representatives, one-third of the U.S. Senate, and thousands of state legislative seats will be up for election in November. Young people are not set up today to have an equal voice in these elections today because so few are registered.
Accept the Challenge: Help the Class of 2022 get Ready to Vote.
The Civics Center’s Class of 2022 Ready to Vote Challenge engages educators, students, parents, and community members in the high school registration process. The Challenge already has more than 40 co-sponsor non-profit organizations.
In Ohio, where youth could decide the US Senate race, fewer than 25% of 18-year-olds in the state’s largest counties are registered to vote
In Ohio’s two most populous counties, Franklin and Cuyahoga, under 25% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote. The deadline to register to vote in time for the upcoming May 3 election is April 4, 2022. There is an immediate need to help high school seniors register before they graduate this spring.